I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Monday 4 December 2017

Happy smiles, twinkling eyes




Hello all... well, after a quiet November of encores and echoes, it's a bit of a snow flurry of projects here at the start of December.

We've already had the Winter Woodland Wonderland (for the Winter Wonderland challenge at A Vintage Journey, as well as being the first of my Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas), and a Wood Look Yule Book for the new Mini Album Makers challenge.

And now we're already on to Tag 2 of the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas.

Linda started sharing her inspiration tags at the beginning of September but, what with one thing and another, in addition to my constitutional dislike of crafting for Christmas before December (I guess that whole handmade Christmas card thing is never going to happen!), I'm now aiming to get all twelve done in just 28 days.  That should be fine, no?  It's not like there's anything else going on at this time of year...









Linda's Tag 2 is a neutral delight, and I've followed along pretty closely.

But for once the pure neutrals weren't quite working for me on my own tag, and I couldn't resist adding a touch of winter greenery.












I absolutely loved the starry crackly background of Linda's tag, so I copied that but with a couple of product variations according to what I had in the stash.













So it's DecoArt Crackle Paint through the stencil and Treasure Gold for the gilded waxing, but otherwise we're pretty much on the same page so far.

It's particularly good with a golden glow of winter sunlight...













I've been sorely tempted by the new Tim Holtz Classic Christmas stamps, but so far I've managed to resist, so this is an older one of his Father Christmas images.













I've followed the postage theme too, but as well as Tim stamps, there are some Darkroom Door ones here to fill in the gaps.












I love the little aeroplane stamp stamp (yes, I do mean two stamps in that sentence).














My snowflakes are pure white rather than white-washed kraft.  Somehow I needed the lift... 
















Maybe because it was a very grey morning when I was making this tag.  I waited for a bit more light for some of these photos.













It was an overnight idea to add the greenery.

I like having a touch of continuity from tag to tag, and I really liked the fir branches on the Winter Woodland Wonderland so I decided to echo that here.









And I've gone for nestling the words amongst the fronds again - more of the Christmas Clippings by Idea-ology.

This tag provided some respite amidst calamitous computer meltdowns, so I was very grateful for the gentle time at the craft table without too much thinking involved - thank you, Linda!






Santa Clause has the right idea - visit people only once a year.
Victor Borge

I'd like to enter this as Tag 2 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique

32 comments:

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Beautiful Alison, love that vintage background, those fir tree branches have been a favourite of mine this year, the white spots and dots really add the magic. Your wording is so lovely...
Warm Hugs Tracey xx

Nikki Acton said...

A beauty! Xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

What a fabulous Wintery glow you have created! Love the greenery with the sprinkling of snow! Hugs,Chrisxx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Just gorgeous! x

froebelsternchen said...

This is just GORGEOUS Alsion! The sprinkled greenery looks fantastic and the colours are so wonderful as well - a fabulous tag!!!!
Happy week to you!

craftytrog said...

A wonderful festive tag Alison!

My name is Erika. said...

Super tag Alison. I thought at first the greenery was real. You know how to put dies and stamping together. Hugs-Erika

Valerie-Jael said...

Another gorgeous tag, love the authentic, vintage look. Have a fun day, hugs, Valerie

sarascloset said...

A BEAUTIFUL take on Linda's tag! I love the way your snowflakes and greenery draw your eye up and down the tag--loving the design! Your stand in Santa looks great and the crackled stars! Oh, be still!, my heart! A real treasure in this one! Oh, and I adore the addition of the airplane stamp stamp! Hugs!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Thanks for your kind words! Don't be too hasty with the birthday wishes - I'm hanging on to my 60's for another week yet!!!(grin) Chrisx

simo said...

Such a beautiful Tag Alison...Vintage, with a 'good ol' days' feeling that I love so much! I do have those 'overnight thoughts' too...he he...
Thank you again for your kind words...so appreciated!
hugs xxx
Simona

maj. said...

A really gorgeous tag Alison!!!!!

Dorthe said...

Beautiful dear Alison , love your neutral delight,
the crackled stars have a special beauty, and so does the white snowflakes .
Such a cozy and old time wonderful tag, ofcourse I am taken in your snow falling from the sky , too .
Dorthe, xx

Redanne said...

No, nothing at all to keep you busy during December - ha, ha! The neutrals looks wonderful with little pops of green here and there and those crackled background snowflakes are gorgeous. Father Christmas has a wonderful expression on his face... a beautiful tag altogether! Anne xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

One of my favorite Santa images, and you rocked him in vintage goodness!

Meggymay said...

Its a fantastic vintage tag, beautiful winter details and a wonderful smiling vintage Santa image.
Yvonne xx

Patty O'Malley said...

Fantastic tag, Alison! Love it!

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Love the vintage vibe to this Alison, reminds me of a Christmas years ago
Hugs
Donna xx

Kate Yetter said...

So rustic and wintry! I am loving your vintage Santa. Beautiful tag Alison!

Astrid Maclean said...

A fabulous festive tag, such a wonderful Santa stamp, and I of course adore the vintage colouring and those amazing crackled snow flakes!!

Annie said...

Your tag is fabulous Alison xxx Love the santa and the wonderful layout xx

Hugs Annie xx

Cocofolies said...

Hi Alison, me again on your blog of course, and my apologies for the gap and erratic commenting the past weeks.
Just so busy as you know... not a good excuse, but the reality.
I hope thnigs will be better in 2018!
I love your exquisite Christmas tag, its delicate crackle on snowflakes and tones for the background (a bit salmon or rose?...), this adorable aeroplane postage stamp, and of course, all these wonderful fir branches in the colours you chose, fabulous!!!
Will try to catch-up with your last mini-album (and many others posts) in the coming days, I wish and plan at least!
Hugs, Coco xxx
PS: Will also as soon as possible share a few cards and other makes featuring the wonderful stamps set I received from you some time ago. Thank you again dear Alison.

SewPaperPaint said...

A great Santa image and all of the postal bits are so fun. Love the kraft/green combo! <3 Hugs, Autumn

Sarah B said...

I often have a peep at your blog but rarely have time to comment (sorry) - love these Christmas tags so far and was relieved to see I'm not the only who can't "do" Christmas before December lol. xx

Chrissy said...

I love a Happy Santa and this fellow is fabulous..love the snow flake dies and branches ..awesome.

luv CHRISSYxx

Sue said...

This is just fabulous, the perfect combination of colours, stamping, and dies. You just need to get with the programme and start Christmas in July lol (only joking -honest) xx

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

This is fantastic, Alison. Love that you really followed my vintage color palette and added the twist of the greenery. That stencil is my favorite for this season and I can't stop reaching for it. I so enjoyed seeing you use it with the crackle paste too. Your stamp stamp and the fun clippings stickers are the perfect finishers for this beauty. So glad you got some needed peace and relaxation making this tag!

Hugs,
Linda

Hazel Agnew said...

Looks good enough to eat! Frosted icing on a Christmas cake springs to mind! Xx

Mrs.B said...

A lovely tag Alison, I do like the added touches of greenery.
Avril xx

Jackie PN said...

What a beautiful tag Alison! I swear, everything you create is a masterpiece in my eyes! I am always in awe, even though the way you explain makes it sound like you created effortlessly! heehee

Love that last quote from Victor Borge- I had to giggle at that one!
Jackie xo

Candy C said...

Alison, you had me on this tag at the vintage Santa image! This is such a sweet tag with the white and cream palette. So wintery and eloquent. I love the soft touches of the greenery. It really blends so well into the tag and gives it the perfect contrast. Love it!

Julia said...

Gorgeous. The greenery, snowflakes and postage stamps are all singing winter time and the Christmas period. I'm having a bit of a catch-up on blog reading at the moment, you may have noticed. x